ULFA calls for referendum

December 22, 2009 18:56 IST

The ULFA on Tuesday said if the Centre cannot discuss the "sovereignty" of Assam, it should hold a referendum to ascertain the views of people of the state on the issue.

"If it cannot discuss the sovereignty issue, then let the government go for referendum to ascertain the Assamese people's opinion on the issue," the latest edition of ULFA mouthpiece 'Freedom' e-mailed to the media said.

Stating that even Mahatma Gandhi had sought the people's opinion before taking up his movement against the British, the e-mail said, there were instances of referendum in Canada, Indonesia and several other countries.

"India's claim of being the largest democracy in the world is an eyewash as it does not follow classical, protective, development and plebicitary democracy. Else it would have gone for referendum to resolve conflicts," the ULFA mouthpiece claimed.

Earlier on December 11, after the arrest of ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other top leaders, its 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah had shot off a 'last message' to the Centre to discuss the sovereignty issue or hold a referendum.